Island Queen is an extremely well-researched fascinating tale of a strong woman Dorothy "Doll" Kirwan Thomas, a former slave turned entrepreneur and very, very rich woman. The book takes place in the 1700 and 1800s in the West Indies and England. We learn about Doll's many lovers and large family, her brilliant business instincts and bravery. Her story is amazing and it's very important to learn the history of women, particularly women of color. It's an amazing story.

I’m unsure about how to explain my experience during this book. While the author is a fantastic writer, the scenes left me feeling a bit awkward and cringing. I hear this will be made into a serious, and I think it’s appropriate

WOW! What a wonderful story. Vanessa Riley clearly did her research before writing this. I love the way she showed all the strong women in this. I definitely recommend this!

It's astounding the amount of research the author did for this novel. What an enormous project this must have been. This historical fiction is more biography than fiction. Based on a real woman whose journey is unparalleled, "Dolly" went from being born into slavery, to buying her own freedom, and fighting for her rights as an independent, free black woman who created her own wealth - IMMENSE wealth - during a time period where none of those descriptive words were anywhere close to common. Her journey blows my mind. It seems like it would be pure fiction. But it's not! And centuries later, Vanessa Riley comes along and brings this woman's story to the masses where we can be as awestruck as this main character deserves. What an inspiration this novel is. What an inspiration Dorothy Kirwan Thomas is and was.

This meticulously researched historical novel is based on the true life story of Dorothy “Dolly” Kirwin Thomas, who was born a slave to an enslaved mother and Irish planter father. This incredibly brave woman, bought freedom for herself, her mother, and her sister and became one of the wealthiest landowners in the West Indies, with holdings in Dominica, Barbados, and Demerara. She endured the injustice and cruelty of slavery and struggled for the goals of becoming financially independent and making sure her entire family was free. The story runs from 1761 to 1824 and jumps between islands in the West Indies and London. Over her life Dolly was involved with three men and bore ten children. She fought both racial prejudice and the oppression of women and achieved dignity for herself and her family. There were many painful incidents in this story and the author should be commended for bringing this woman’s accomplishments to a wider audience. It is a very long book and it was sometimes hard to keep all of the characters straight, but it was well worth reading.

Let me be perfectly honest: I had this book a while ago via NEtGalley but I purposely waited to give this review until i listened to the audiobook which was narrated WONDERFULLY by Adjoa Andoh from Bridgerton. Oh my god. I was completely wrapped in the book and her narration took it over the top. As a person married to someone from the Caribbean, we did not know that this history existed. And I made it a point to listen with my husband. Vanessa Riley is a genuine scholar of the regency and Black folks. and you can tell she takes the time to educate and entertain her audience. Her fictionization of Doll was just breathtaking.

Love everything about this book from the writing to the characters. It was such a great journey. I felt transported into the story

Wow! Dolly's story is amazing and I'm so glad to now know it! I learned so much in this book and really enjoyed it.
With that said this book is too long. Idk how many times I read about details that didn't matter or Riley would mention a person for one paragraph that was never brought up again.
I also wanted to know more about her struggles to get her freedom and less about the men in her life. I did like that Riley says more than once that men are her weakness. It made it a little less annoying.

This was a really different read for me and I can't really pin point why when I absolutely love historical fiction and romance. This novel was incredible I didn't;t realize until I was over half way through the book that it's actually based on a real life incredible woman. This novel tackles some tough subjects like racism and sexism, but it's absolutely worth the read despite bringing up some uncomfy topics. If you like reading about string women who persevere and come out on top this is the read for you.

Island Queen is based on the true story of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, an enslaved woman living in Montserrat. Born to an enslaved mother and Irish father, Dorothy purchases her own freedom, along with that of her mother and sister. The story follows her amazing life--from freedom, to entrepreneurship, successful businesses, then her later life with her children and grandchildren and beneficiaries of her success.

Vanessa Riley deserves the accolades she is getting for Island Queen. She brings a little known story to life and creates characters as if she was able to know them personally. It's very well researched into the time period and I'm looking forward to more historical fiction from Riley.

I just turned the final page of Island Queen. I'm not sure I have words to do it justice. But Vanessa Riley did. What she has created is nothing short of a masterpiece. This impeccably-researched recreation of an extraordinary life immersed me into Dolly's world, from the terror and bloodshed of a young slave child's first rebellion, to the ninth decade of a life lived to the fullest. Riley held nothing back, giving readers a front-row seat to the uncensored lows and highs of this fascinating and complicated woman's life. By the end of the book, I didn't only know about Doll. I knew her. Riley brought her to life, with all her flaws, strengths, fears, fierceness, and vulnerability. She may not have secured page space in our history books but I would wager that no one who reads Island Queen will ever forget Dorothy Kirwan Thomas. I know I won't.

This is a long book - almost 600 pages - but the narrative never lost me. I was fully engaged from beginning to end. Not a single sentence or character was extraneous. Each carefully considered word was necessary to do this story justice.

Be sure to also read the Author's Notes at the end of the book as they are filled with fascinating facts about Riley's research as well as more information about Dolly's children, grandchildren, and other real-life characters in the book.

Island Queen is one of the best books I've read in 2021. It has my highest recommendation.

*Top Dish - 5 Star Review

CW: Readers should be aware that some parts of the book involving rape, incest, death, and slavery may be difficult to read but, in my opinion, are necessary to understand the full scope of Dolly's life.

*ARC received for fair and unbiased review

This literary novel is an astonishing achievement. Doll was born into slavery, but her hard work and entrepreneurial endeavors allowed her to buy freedom for herself and her family. Beautifully written and often heart-wrenching, this fictional account primarily dramatizes important events in her personal life.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Island Queen is the real-life story of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, aka Dolly or Doll, as she was sometimes called. History intended on burying her story forever. It is with much gratitude that I thank Vanessa Riley for taking the time to bring Dorothy Kirwan Thomas to us. Its findings leave you feeling empowered.

Island Queen begins with a little enslaved girl, which by definition is resilient and refuses to accept the word "No"! Check this out to find all the ways she had overcome.

During her journey, she experienced many men drawn to her beauty, spirit, and drive. Much like us, drawn to the beauty of the cover, but when we get to the pages, we experience the exceptional job the author did with uncovering and eloquently telling this untold truth of a powerful woman from enslaved to freedom/rags to riches.

There are many takeaways in Island Queen, to name a few;
The past does not define your future.
Know your worth--her children needed to understand this, and she made others aware.
There are blessings in helping others.
True love can conquer all.

Dorothy gives us much to celebrate in what I like to call her Black Girl Passion, but the author reminds us that Dorothy was not a superwoman but, instead, she was a woman with hopes, dreams, and sorrows. Her journey was not easy, as I am sure you can imagine. She dealt with many obstacles, abuse, loss, and other harsh truths.

I love how the format in which the author told the story. It made taking in the wealth of information a bit easier. It is rich in the kind of history that should be in classrooms. It's knowledge of the importance of knowing and understanding the laws, cultures, and their meanings. Also, the importance of the legacy you leave.

Island Queen is a story worthy of being told!!!

Dolly Kirwan is a young slave on a plantation in the West Indies owned by her Irish (white) father who treats her, well, like a little doll he can pay attention to when he pleases and ignore all other times. Her mother, also a slave, tries not to raise Dolly’s hopes that she will ever have the freedoms and opportunities bestowed on her white half-brother. But Dolly is determined to be a businesswoman and buy herself and her family out of slavery.

The story is set during the cusp of the 19th century, during turbulent times and wars between the British, France and U.S. Freedom from oppression is on everyone’s lips and so it comes as no surprise slaves also would battle for their own freedom. Author Vanessa Riley does an amazing job bringing to life this real-life character who went from being a slave to a rich and savvy businesswoman.

This is a story of hope and determination, made all the better because it is based on the real life of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas. A fascinating read.

thank you so much #partners @bibliolifestyle & @williammorrowbooks for this beautiful copy 😍

what i really appreciated most about this novel is that @vanessarileyauthor taught me a history i never knew. ya’ll know that my historical interests lie in African American history, specifically in the 20th century, so to read a little more in the slave trade was different & needed. fam- i had noooo idea that the Irish dabbled in the trans-atlantic trade👀 NONE. i mean it makes sense bc literally EVERYBODY was in on it, but history in public schools place the most emphasis on the British & French (then maybe the Spanish & Portuguese- it depends on how racist your school district was🤷🏾‍♀️)

Dorothy “Dolly” Kirwan Thomas. remember & put some respect on that name!

this book is about 600 pages but the chapters are relatively short & the concluding pages of said chapters make you want to read more😊 it already came out, so no need to wait to read/audio it!

Island Queen by Vanessa Riley is a fascinating story about hardship, love, betrayal and triumph. Set in the18th century colonial Caribbean, it is a fictionalized account of the life of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, a real woman of color. She was born a slave and, through her wits and strength, gained her freedom and became a powerful business woman and benefactor.
The storytelling is excellent, and clearly the novel was meticulously researched. It was hard to read about the treatment of the slaves on the plantation, and also frustrating to watch Dorothy endure the betrayal of the men in power in her region. But reading about the survival and achievements of “Dolly” are well worth the readers’ time, even at a 600+ page count.
I will look for more novels by Vanessa Riley!

Thank you to William Morrow/HarperCollins Publishers for the ARC. This is my unbiased review.

ISLAND QUEEN is the exquisitely written story of Dorothy "Dolly" Kirwan Thomas, an enslaved girl from the Caribbean island of Monserrat who goes on to buy her freedom and become one of the wealthiest landowners in the West Indies. The craziest part - even more unbelievable than her affair with the future King of England - is that the story is true!

Dolly is the ultimate survivor, escaping her life as a slave on her Irish father's plantation and abuse by her half-brother that leaves her with two children to become an entrepreneur who travels the world and has men falling at her feet. Riley vividly describes Dolly's extraordinary life - her 10 children (all of whom she made sure were free along with other family members), her multiple lovers, the wealth she acquired and how she managed it, and the struggles she endured to show that no matter her gender or color, she deserved everything she'd earned. It's impossible not to be blown away by her strength, perseverance and accomplishments. My one quibble was that there's a dual timeline (one in 1824 when Dolly is already successful and in London and another that starts in 1761 when she's five and we get a chronological telling of her story) that felt unnecessary and was a bit confusing at first. But stick with it and all 592 pages of this amazing story of a woman who defied all odds and wrote her own rules during a time when women and people of color were horribly oppressed. This Island Queen deserves to be a household name.

4.5 stars

Thanks to William Morris Custom House and NetGalley for a copy to review.

Based on the true life story of Dorothy ¨Doll¨ Kirwan Thomas, Island Queen is a compelling, gripping, and emotional novel. Told through her point of view, Doll narrates a tale that is both stunning in its cruelty and oppression, as well as the fortitude and determination she has in protecting and ensuring her family’s safety and freedom. It is a sweeping tale that shows Doll’s journey to freedom and economic success as well as the history of the Caribbean and the effects of colonialism and racism.
I loved reading the story of Dorothy and was immediately drawn to her no-nonsense attitude and unwillingness to fail. Everything that Doll did, she did with her whole heart and a sense of true purpose. She dreamed big as a child and never gave up on that hope, no matter the cruelty and unfairness that was forced upon her. Doll’s story is one that shows how powerful hope and determination can be, but also more importantly, how hard people of color in history have had to work to be seen merely as people. Throughout the story, Doll asks her father repeatedly why he won’t buy the freedom of her mother and siblings and he never has a good point. To grow up knowing you are truly owned by your parent? To live through the repeated sexual, physical, and emotional abuse by family members and to have no recourse? I can’t even begin to imagine. Doll was able to live through all that trauma to become one of the Caribbean’s wealthiest women of her time and create an empire. Her story is just as fascinating as it is frustrating and enraging that this treatment was ever inflicted on anyone.
I would highly recommend this to historical fiction lovers, as well as those wanting to read more books based on women in history.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. All mistakes and opinions are my own.

Don’t lose you. Do all for your children, but birth your dreams too.“

Dorothy Kirwan Thomas was one of the mulatto offspring of her plantation owner and her enslaved Mother. Unlike her siblings, at first glance she didn’t look mulatto as her skin-tone was chocolate. One thing that stood out to me about Dorothy is that even as a child, she had pride about her skintone even though it was typically seen as a hindrance for her despite her ability to figure numbers, speak eloquently, and her unorthodox beauty. She also dared to dream.

This book takes you on the journey with her from being an enslaved child to becoming a free woman of color and going on to become one of the wealthiest women in the West Indies. She also used her wealth and status to free other members of her family and teach them the kind of business acumen that helped her accumulate her wealth.

I thought I would absolutely love this novel. I loved being introduced to this amazing Historical figure but the storyline itself at times seemed to drag on. This book is almost 600 pages long and it wasn’t the kind of storyline for me that made me forget how long it was. It felt long and drawn out. I love that the author wove her love life into the storyline because it humanized her and also let us see how wise she was to be able to make every romance beneficial to her in the long run, but sometimes her love life overshadowed her accomplishments. I may be in the minority with this opinion, but overall I can’t say this was one of the most enjoyable reads of 2021 for me. What I did takeaway from this novel was the power of never losing sight of your dreams and your desire to build a legacy outside of relationships, children, marriages, etc.

“Island Queen” is a historical fiction novel based on the life of Dorothy Kirwan. She was born into enslavement and goes on to buy her freedom. I liked the book and there’s a lot to sit and reflect on. However, it reads more like a non-fiction and not one you can read in just one sitting. This book is really long and seems to focus too much on her sexual experiences. Overall, I would recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC in exchange of my honest review.